Ireland midfielder Gibson completes Everton move

London - Irish midfielder Darron Gibson has completed his move from Manchester United to Everton and signed a four-and-a-half-year deal with the Merseyside club.

The 24-year-old said United's former Everton forward Wayne Rooney had persuaded him to move.

"I was speaking to Wayne about it a bit and after that and coming to see the facilities it was an easy decision," he was quoted as saying by Xinhua.

"He told me it was a great club and he really enjoyed his time and the people here. Having a word with him and people like Tim Cahill and Phil Neville convinced me to come."

Gibson had lost his place after the return of the 37-year-old Paul Scholes from retirement.

"I was very frustrated," he said. "It was hard for me at times."

"I think when I did get a chance I did well, obviously I was getting left out and I was playing one or two games here and there," he said.

"When Scholesy came back the manager told me I was free to go. Everton had shown some interest a month before and the gaffer (David Moyes) wanted me in so it went from there," he added.